We had heard before heading to Athens, that coffee in Greece is amazing and it is! We absolutely fell in love with the coffee in Greece, as well as the Greek coffee culture, and we are sure you will too. Along with visiting the Acropolis and trying all the delicious food in Athens, you will want to spend some time in the cafes in Athens enjoying the local coffee culture.
There are many different types of coffee available in Greece and in this post I will walk you through the different types of coffee you can order during your trip to Greece.
Coffee in Greece – what to order
Traditional Greek Coffee (Kafe Elliniko)
Traditional Greek coffee is also known as Turkish coffee or Arab coffee. It is unfiltered unlike espresso and prepared in a briki, or ibrik.
It is served in a small glass like an espresso.
There are so many different ways to prepare and enjoy traditional Greek coffee. These are a few of the ways :
- Sketos (plain) : Black coffee and no sugar
- Varis: 2-3 teaspoons of coffee with 1 teaspoon sugar
- Elafris: ½-1 teaspoon of coffee + 1 teaspoon sugar
- Glykos: 1 teaspoon coffee +2 teaspoons sugar
- Variglykos: 3 teaspoons coffee +3 teaspoons sugar
- Ne ke Ohi: 1 teaspoon coffee + ½ teaspoon sugar
I love this post that will teach you to make traditional Greek coffee at home.
Average cost : 1,50 – 2€.
Espresso Freddo
Espresso Freddo is a cold espresso with crushed ice added to it. It is one of the most popular drinks to order in Greece at the moment.
Hugo and I ordered tons of espresso freddos while we were in Athens!
It is served in a tall glass.
Average cost : 2,5 – 3,5€.
Cappuccino Freddo
A Cappuccino Freddo is a cold cappuccino. Like an Espresso Freddo, it includes all of the ingredients of a traditional cappuccino mixed with a frothy, crushed ice. Along with the espresso freddo, cappuccino freddo is my favorite drink!
It is served in a tall glass.
Average cost : 2,5 – 3,5€.
Frappe
A Greek frappe is made using instant coffee, water and sugar.
It is served in a short or tall glass.
It was created by accident by a Nescafe employee in Thessaloniki in the 1950s and went on to become the most popular iced coffee drink in Greece. It’s popularity has been replaced in recent years by the trendier (and in my opinion, more delicious) espresso freddo and cappuccino freddo.
Average cost : 2,5 – 3,5€.
Espresso
Espresso in Greece is similar to espresso in Italy. It is served tight, or ristretto, and is just strong enough. Enjoy it in the morning or in the afternoon as a quick pick me up.
It is served in a small espresso cup.
Average cost : 1,50 – 2€.
Cappuccino
Cappuccino is a popular drink of choice in Greece like in most other countries!
Average cost : 2 – 3€.
Our favorite coffee shops in Athens
- Da Capo : Tsakalof 1, Kolonaki Square, Athens
- Taf Coffee : Emmanouil Mpenaki 7, Athens
- Carpo : Kanari 6, Athens
- Little Kook Cake Shop : Karaiskaki 17, Athina 105 54, Athens
We asked our Instagram audience to send us their questions about Greek coffee varieties! Here are the questions we received :
Is coffee popular in Greece?
Yes! Coffee is very popular in Greece. There is an awesome coffee culture throughout the country. People love meeting up for coffee in local cafes.
Is coffee good in Greece?
Yes, it is delicious! All the coffee we tried was delicious, especially the espresso freddo and cappuccino freddo. Make sure you take the time to explore the local coffee culture during your trip to Greece.
How to order coffee in Greece?
Ordering coffee in Greece is simple. When we travel, we always try to use a bit of the local language although most people speak English in Greece. We recommend that you try to learn the Greek name for each type of coffee (or at least your favorite) so that you can order it in the local language. At the very least, when you arrive, say a friendly Γεια σου (Ya su)! Honestly, most Greeks have excellent English language skills, so if all else fails, you can speak English.
How much is coffee in Greece?
Coffee is relatively affordable in Greece (at least compared to the cost of coffee here in Paris where we live).
Why is coffee expensive in Greece?
We didn’t think coffee was very expensive in Greece! Prices are always relative though. The various types of Greek coffee are less expensive than here in Paris but more expensive than Italy for example.
Does coffee grow in Greece?
No, coffee is not actually a local product grown in Greece.
Can you get decaf coffee in Greece?
Yes you can, especially in specialty coffee shops and cafes! However, you may not find decaf coffee everywhere. I have to admit, we never order decaf coffee, so we were not really searching for it when in Athens! If drinking decaf coffee is important to you, ask for it and I’m sure the locals will help you find what you need. Everyone is so lovely, welcoming and accommodating in Greece.
Enjoy the coffee culture in Greece!
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